Image capturing apparatus including imaging units with corresponding illumination units arranged in a circumferential manner

ABSTRACT

An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of imaging units arranged in a circumferential manner and movable in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of illumination units arranged in such a manner that each of the plurality of illumination units corresponds to a different one of the plurality of imaging units. In a case where the plurality of imaging units moves in the circumferential direction, each of the plurality of imaging units integrally moves with a corresponding one of the plurality of illumination units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/894,105, filed on Feb. 12, 2018, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-161800 filed Aug. 25, 2017, whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus, and moreparticularly to an image capturing apparatus including a plurality ofimaging units arranged in a circumferential manner.

Description of the Related Art

There are multi-lens camera apparatuses capable of capturing large areaimages. Such a multi-lens camera apparatus is provided with a pluralityof imaging units arranged in a circumferential manner. In some cases,for example, a multi-lens camera apparatus includes a plurality ofimaging units that is fixed so that a visual field of 360 degrees can becaptured. However, an obstacle, such as a wall, may be present near themulti-lens camera apparatus depending on an installation location. Insuch a case, an imaging range of at least one of the imaging units maybe blocked by the obstacle. Thus, a position of the imaging unit isdesirably changeable at will. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2015-119476 discusses a mechanism through which a position of an imagingunit in a multi-lens camera apparatus can be freely changeable.

In a case where a video image is captured under low-intensityillumination, such as nighttime, the video image is not clear. To thatend, an illumination unit is mounted on a camera in some cases so that aclear video image can be captured in the low-intensity illumination. Ina case where an illumination unit is mounted in a multi-lens cameraapparatus in which the position of an imaging unit is freely changeableas discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119476,an imaging range needs to be uniformly irradiated with illuminationlight even after the position of the imaging unit is changed to capturea good video image regardless of the position of the imaging unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-lens camera apparatuscapable of acquiring a good video image by matching an imaging range ofan imaging unit and an irradiation range of illumination light evenafter the position of the imaging unit is changed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image capturingapparatus includes a plurality of imaging units arranged in acircumferential manner and movable in a circumferential direction, and aplurality of illumination units arranged in such a manner that each ofthe plurality of illumination units corresponds to a different one ofthe plurality of imaging units. In a case where the plurality of imagingunits moves in the circumferential direction, each of the plurality ofimaging units integrally moves with a corresponding one of the pluralityof illumination units.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of embodiments with reference to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-lens camera apparatus accordingto a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-lens camera apparatus withouta visible light transmission window and an illumination lighttransmission window.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the multi-lens camera apparatus accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an imaging range changing method for animaging unit in the multi-lens camera apparatus according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a case in which a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ)camera apparatus is attached to the multi-lens camera apparatusaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a case in which the PTZ camera apparatusis attached to the multi-lens camera apparatus according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-lens camera apparatus accordingto a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the multi-lens camera apparatusaccording to the second embodiment without a visible light transmissionwindow and an illumination light transmission window.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the multi-lens camera apparatus accordingto the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view for a case in which an illumination unit isnot mounted on the multi-lens camera apparatus according to the secondembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. A description of a cable and a component whichare not directly related to the embodiments is omitted, and the cableand the component are not illustrated in the drawings.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below indetail. In the present embodiment, a multi-lens camera apparatus 1 willbe described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-lens camera apparatus 1according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of themulti-lens camera apparatus without a visible light transmission window3 and an illumination light transmission window 4. FIG. 3 is a sectionalview of the multi-lens camera apparatus 1.

The multi-lens camera apparatus 1 includes a top case 2, the visiblelight transmission window 3, the illumination light transmission window4, a bottom cover 5, a plurality of imaging units 9, a plurality ofillumination units 10, a plurality of holding members 11, a guide cover12, and a light shielding wall 13.

The top case 2 is arranged on an installation surface side, and includesa multi-lens camera base 6. On the multi-lens camera base 6, a firstguide 7, which is circular as one example of a guide unit, is formed.The first guide 7 is arranged on an imaging unit side. The first guide 7may have a protrusion shape or a recessed shape.

The visible light transmission window 3 protects the imaging units 9from raindrops, dust, and external impact. The visible lighttransmission window 3 is sandwiched between the top case 2 and a visiblelight transmission window fixing member 14. Moreover, a gasket (notillustrated) is arranged between the visible light transmission window 3and the top case 2 to prevent intrusion of raindrops and dust into themulti-lens camera apparatus 1.

The illumination light transmission window 4 protects the illuminationunit 10 from raindrops, dust, and external impact. The illuminationlight transmission window 4 is fixed to the bottom cover 5 and the lightshielding wall 13 with screws (not illustrated). Moreover, gaskets (notillustrated) are arranged between the illumination light transmissionwindow 4 and the bottom cover 5 and between the illumination lighttransmission window 4 and the light shielding wall 13 to preventintrusion of raindrops and dust into the multi-lens camera apparatus 1.

The bottom cover 5 covers an opening portion 4 a. On the bottom cover 5,a second guide 8, as one example of a guide unit, is formed in a circle.The second guide 8 is arranged on an illumination unit side. The firstguide 7 and the second guide 8 are arranged opposite each other. Thesecond guide 8 can have a protrusion shape or a recessed shape.

The imaging unit 9 includes a lens and an imaging element. The pluralityof imaging units 9 is arranged in a circumferential manner and movablein a circumferential direction. The imaging unit 9 is fixed to theholding member 11.

The illumination unit 10 is an illumination which emits near-infraredlight. The illumination unit 10 is fixed to the holding member 11. Theillumination unit 10 is arranged on the side opposite an installationsurface with respect to the imaging unit 9. Moreover, each the pluralityof illumination units 10 is arranged so as to correspond to a differentone of the plurality of imaging units 9.

The holding member 11 holds the imaging unit 9 and the illumination unit10 such that they are fixed with respect to each other. The holdingmember 11 includes a first engagement portion 11 a having a protrusionshape and a second engagement portion 11 b having a recessed shape onboth respective ends. The first engagement portion 11 a is engaged withthe first guide 7, and the second engagement portion 11 b is engagedwith the second guide 8. Engagement of the first guide 7 and the firstengagement portion 11 a enables an upper end portion of the holdingmember 11 to be supported by the first guide 7. Engagement of the secondguide 8 and the second engagement portion 11 b enables a lower endportion of the holding member 11 to be supported by the second guide 8.

This enables the holding member 11 to slide along the first guide 7 andthe second guide 8, thereby integrally moving the imaging unit 9 and theillumination unit 10 together as one unit.

The guide cover 12 aids stable movement of the first engagement portion11 a such that the first engagement portion 11 a is not disengaged fromthe first guide 7. The guide cover 12 is arranged under the firstengagement portion 11 a. The light shielding wall 13 is arranged betweenthe imaging unit 9 and the illumination unit 10, and is a lightproofwall through which at least illumination light is not transmitted.

The light shielding wall 13 prevents or reduces illumination light thatenters into the imaging unit 9 from the illumination unit 10 withoutgoing through a subject. The light shielding wall 13 may be integrallyprovided with the visible light transmission window 3. Alternatively,the light shielding wall 13 may be bonded to the visible lighttransmission window 3 by attachment, or fixed to the visible lighttransmission window 3 with a screw.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an imaging range changing method forthe imaging unit 9. In a case where an imaging range of the imaging unit9 is to be changed, the illumination light transmission window 4 fixed,for example, with a screw (not illustrated) is removed (in a directionindicated by an arrow A illustrated in FIG. 4). When the illuminationlight transmission window 4 is removed, the illumination unit 10 isexposed. Then, a user grasps and moves the illumination unit 10 to theright and left (in a direction indicated by an arrow B illustrated inFIG. 4), so that the imaging unit 9 can be integrally moved along thefirst guide 7 and the second guide 8. Herein, since the visible lighttransmission window 3 does not need to be removed or the imaging unit 9does not need to be grasped, an imaging range of the imaging unit 9 canbe changed not only by a simple work but also without making the visiblelight transmission window 3 and a lens 9 a of the imaging unit 9 dirty.In the present embodiment, the user moves the illumination unit 10 tochange the imaging range. However, an imaging range can be automaticallychanged by, for example, a remote operation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for a case in which a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ)camera apparatus 15 is attached to the multi-lens camera apparatus 1.FIG. 6 is a sectional view for a case in which the PTZ camera apparatus15 is attached to the multi-lens camera apparatus 1.

The bottom cover 5 is replaceable. The bottom cover 5 can be replacedwith a bottom cover 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

For example, the PTZ camera apparatus 15 rotatable in a pan directionand a tilt direction is attachable to the bottom cover 16. The PTZcamera apparatus 15 is arranged in a center of the circumference wherethe plurality of imaging units 9 is arranged. The PTZ camera apparatus15 protrudes from the opening portion 4 a.

The PTZ camera apparatus 15 is oriented toward a specific target pointwithin a video image captured by the plurality of imaging units 9, sothat an object or a human being can be tracked across the entire areacapturable by the PTZ camera apparatus 15.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described indetail. In the present embodiment, a description will be provided of amulti-lens camera apparatus 21 different from the multi-lens cameraapparatus 1 described in the first embodiment. In the presentembodiment, a holding method for an imaging unit and an illuminationunit differs from that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the multi-lens camera apparatus 21according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of themulti-lens camera apparatus 21 without a visible light transmissionwindow 25 and an illumination light transmission window 26. FIG. 9 is asectional view of the multi-lens camera apparatus 21.

The multi-lens camera apparatus 21 includes a multi-lens camera unit 22and an attachable and detachable illumination unit 23.

The multi-lens camera apparatus 21 includes a top case 24, the visiblelight transmission window 25 through which at least visible light istransmitted, the illumination light transmission window 26 through whichat least illumination light is transmitted, and a bottom cover 27 whichcovers an opening portion 26 a provided on the illumination lighttransmission window 26. Moreover, the multi-lens camera apparatus 21includes a plurality of imaging units 31, a plurality of illuminationunits 32, a plurality of imaging unit holding members 33, a plurality ofillumination unit holding members 34, a guide cover 35, and a lightshielding wall 36.

A top case 24 is arranged on an installation surface side, and includesa multi-lens camera base 28. On the multi-lens camera base 28, acircular imaging unit guide 29 is formed. The imaging unit guide 29 mayhave a protrusion shape or a recessed shape.

The visible light transmission window 25 protects the imaging unit 31from raindrops, dust, and external impact. The visible lighttransmission window 25 is sandwiched between the top case 24 and avisible light transmission window fixing member 37. Moreover, a gasket(not illustrated) is arranged between the visible light transmissionwindow 25 and the top case 24 to prevent intrusion of raindrops and dustinto the multi-lens camera apparatus 21.

The illumination light transmission window 26 protects the illuminationunit 32 from raindrops, dust, and external impact. The illuminationlight transmission window 26 is fixed to the bottom cover 27 and thelight shielding wall 36 with, for example, screws (not illustrated).Moreover, gaskets (not illustrated) are provided between theillumination light transmission window 26 and the bottom cover 27 andbetween the illumination light transmission window 26 and the lightshielding wall 36 to protect intrusion of raindrops and dust into themulti-lens camera apparatus 21.

The bottom cover 27 covers the opening portion 26 a. On the bottom cover27, an illumination unit guide 30 is formed in a circle. The imagingunit guide 29 and the illumination unit guide 30 are arranged oppositeeach other. The illumination unit guide 30 can have a protrusion shapeor a recessed shape.

The imaging unit 31 includes a lens and an imaging element. A pluralityof imaging units 31 is arranged in a circumferential manner and ismovable in a circumferential direction. The imaging unit 31 is fixed tothe imaging unit holding member 33.

The imaging unit holding member 33 holds the imaging unit 31. Theimaging unit holding member 33 includes an engagement portion 33 a whichengages the imaging unit guide 29, and a connection structure portion 33b having a hole with a square bottom to which the illumination unitholding member 34 connects.

The illumination unit 32 is an illumination which emits near-infraredlight. The illumination unit 32 is fixed to the illumination unitholding member 34. The illumination unit 32 is arranged on the sideopposite an installation surface with respect to the imaging unit 31.

The illumination unit holding member 34 holds the illumination unit 32.The illumination unit holding member includes an engagement portion 34a, which engages the illumination unit guide 30, and a spherical-shapedconnection structure portion 34 b which is connected to the imaging unitholding member 33.

The imaging unit holding member 33 is movable along the imaging unitguide 29 by the engagement portion 33 a. The illumination unit holdingmember 34 is movable along the illumination unit guide 30 by theengagement portion 34 a. The connection structure portion 34 b issupported by the connection structure portion 33 b. This configurationenables the imaging unit holding member 33 and the illumination unitholding member 34 to integrally slide along the imaging unit guide 29and the illumination unit guide 30, thus integrally moving the imagingunit 31 and the illumination unit 32.

The guide cover 35 aids stable movement of the engagement portion 33 ain such a manner that the engagement portion 33 a is not disengaged fromthe imaging unit guide 29. The guide cover 35 is arranged under theengagement portion 33 a.

The light shielding wall 36 reduces or prevents illumination light thatenters into the imaging unit 31 from the illumination unit 32 withoutgoing through a subject. The light shielding wall 36 can be integrallyprovided with the visible light transmission window 25. Alternatively,the light shielding wall 36 can be bonded to the visible lighttransmission window 25 by attachment, or fixed to the visible lighttransmission window 25 with a screw.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view for a case in which an illumination is notprovided to the multi-lens camera apparatus 21. Making the illuminationunit 23 attachable and detachable enables a user who does not need anillumination to use only the multi-lens camera unit 22 with use of abutton cover 38 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Although the embodiments havebeen described, the present invention is not limited to each of theembodiments, and various modification and changes can be possible withina scope of the invention.

While the present invention has been described with reference toembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe disclosed embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image capturing apparatus comprising: a firstimaging portion; a second imaging portion; a first illumination portion;a second illumination portion; a first holding portion attached to andsupporting the first imaging portion; a second holding portion attachedto and supporting the second imaging portion; a third holding portionattached to and supporting the first illumination portion; a fourthholding portion attached to and supporting the second illuminationportion; an imaging portion guide, being circular, configured to guidethe first holding portion and the second holding portion in acircumferential direction; and an illumination support portion, beingcircular, configured to support the third holding portion and the fourthholding portion.
 2. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the imaging portion guide is arranged closer to the firstimaging portion and the second imaging portion than the firstillumination portion and the second illumination portion.
 3. The imagecapturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illuminationsupport portion is arranged closer to the first illumination portion andthe second illumination portion than the first imaging portion and thesecond imaging portion.
 4. The image capturing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein each of the first holding portion and the secondholding portion has an engaging portion that engages with the imagingportion guide.
 5. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a radius of the illumination support portion is larger than aradius of the imaging portion guide.
 6. The image capturing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a light shielding wall arrangedbetween the first imaging portion and the first illumination portion. 7.The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisingan illumination light transmission window covering the firstillumination portion and the second illumination portion, and configuredto transmit illumination light emitted from the first illuminationportion and the second illumination portion.
 8. The image capturingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a visible lighttransmission window covering the first imaging portion and the secondimaging portion.
 9. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a fourth imaging portion arranged in a center of acircumference where the first imaging portion and the second imagingportion are arranged in the circumferential manner, the fourth imagingportion being rotatable in a pan direction and a tilt direction.
 10. Theimage capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the firstillumination portion and the second illumination portion each emitsnear-infrared light.
 11. The image capturing apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: a third imaging portion, a thirdillumination portion; a fifth holding portion attached to and supportingthe third imaging portion; and a sixth holding portion attached to andsupporting the third illumination portion.
 12. The image capturingapparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an illumination lighttransmission window covering the first illumination portion and thesecond illumination portion, wherein the illumination light transmissionwindow is fixed to the light shielding wall.
 13. The image capturingapparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a visible lighttransmission window covering the first imaging portion and the secondimaging portion, wherein the visible light transmission window is fixedto the light shielding wall.
 14. The image capturing apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a light shielding wall arranged between aplurality of imaging portions and a plurality of illumination portions,wherein the plurality of imaging portions includes the first imagingportion and a second imaging portion, and the plurality of illuminationportions includes the first illumination portion and the secondillumination portion.
 15. The image capturing apparatus according toclaim 14, wherein a first space in which the plurality of imagingportions is arranged and a second space in which the plurality of theillumination portions is arranged are separated by the light shieldingwall.